There wasn’t much rainfall in the Humboldt area as evidenced by this week’s Agriculture Ministry Crop report, but most crops are reported to be near normal stages of development for this time of year.
Currently, spring cereals, pulse crops and perennial forages have the highest percentage ahead of normal development. Oilseeds and annual forages are estimated to be the furthest behind in their stages of development for this time of year.
Rainfall was limited throughout the region with many areas reporting no rain at all. The Melfort area recorded the highest rainfall at 22 mm. The Duck Lake area received 16 mm and the Hudson Bay area received 14 mm.
Reductions to topsoil moisture were observed throughout the region over the past week. Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 40 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 39 per cent adequate and 45 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.
Haying operations have progressed rapidly throughout the region with the drier conditions. Seventy per cent of the hay crop has received its first cut with 36 per cent baled or silaged. Hay quality is rated as 10 per cent excellent, 60 per cent good and 30 per cent fair.
Areas within the region reported minor to moderate damage from lack of moisture, heat and wind. Minor crop damage was reported from flooding, hail, grasshoppers, flea beetles and gophers. Disease has been noted in some areas with producers applying fungicides to suppress disease already present and proactively spraying to manage disease from developing.